Reviews

Battles

Dross Glop

Warp

Taking a record rife with compelling ideas as its focus, a remix redux of Battles' 2011 album Gloss Drop is an intriguing prospect, though creative license sometimes translates here as unbridled indulgence.

One of the album's most successful moments comes with The Alchemist's remix of "Futura." Retaining the song's basic melody, he uses some splashy rhythm and electronic squall to ratchet up a delicious tension.

The Gui Boratto remix of "Wall Street" sets up a catchy beat with spaghetti western-style guitar, though it bears no resemblance to the madly frantic original track. Elsewhere, the end-of-the-world crescendo initially built in "White Electric" is completely defused by the sleepy beats and rap of Shabazz Palaces, while The Field's remix of "Sweetie & Shag" merely lays a wisp of recorded breath intake over a bed of industrial rattle and hum.

The remixers seem bent on matching Battles' creativity, though the end result, while at times admirable, may leave listeners longing for a full airing of Gloss Drop. (www.bttls.com)